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Patented Nov. 1, 1927.

J SANFQRID SMALL, 03E' ELKHART, INDIANA.

FILE.

Application filed November 2,1926. Serial No. 145,774.

This invention relates to a novel file, in which the sheets are arranged in groups, a key, or master, sheet of each group serving to index the sheets of that group with reference to the key sheets of the remaining groups, the key sheets being arranged in overlapping relationship to expose a series of identification-receiving margins to the view at one time, while the remaining sheets of such group are normally hidden by the overlying key sheet of another group. The sheets of each group, considered with reference to one another, havel overlapping identiication-receivingmargins serving to index the sheets of that group with reference to one another, so that when the overlying key sheet is lifted, the margins of the underlying sheets of the next group are exposed to view, and s0 that when any group of sheets is removed from its place in the file, all of the margins of the sheets of that group are exposed.

The invention will be best understood by reference to the following description, when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings of one specific embodiment thereof, while its scope will be more particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is an elevation of a tile exemplifying the invention; i

Fig. 2 is a sectional view of one group of sheets and their holder, on line 2 2 of Fig. 1; and

Fig. 3 is a sectional view on line 33 of Fig. 1.

Referring to the drawings, and to the embodiment of the invention which is selected for exemplilication, there is shown a support, herein a panel 4, conveniently formed of sheet metal, having two opposite marginal portions bent to present inwardly directed flanges 5, behind which are channels 6 (see Fig. 3) to receive' the ends of appropriate sheet holders, herein comprising flexible bars 7, such as tempered steel strips, which are elevated somewhat from the front face of the panel, as by ribs 8 formed on the panel.`

Each bar is provided with sheet-attaching means, herein a pair of clips 9, having a U- shaped cross-sectional formation (see Fig. 2), each clip having two arms 10 and l1, connected by a connecting portion 12, which extends through registering perforations 13 provided in the several sheets of the group 'of she held by that holder.; .ln the prese ent example, the group comprises four sheets, designated respectively 111, 15, 16 and 17. The arm 11 of each clip is longer than the arm 10, as clearly shown in Fig. 2, and presents a hinge piece 18, conveniently formed by ceiling the same to afford a bearing 19 for a pintle 20, suitably secured to the bar as by a hinge piece`21, herein conveniently formed of sheet-metal having two arms 22 bent around and back of the bar, to provide al secure attachment thereto. The mode of inserting the clips in the openings presented by the sheets is set forth in my pending application, Ser. No. 750,225, led November 1'?, 1924. Removal of the clips from their pintles can be accomplished only by first removing the bar from the panel, the effective length of the bar to this end being diminished by bending the bar, after which the bar can be bent sufficiently to enable the pintles to be withdrawn from the clips. Afterwards, the clips can be removed from their respective openings in the sheets by rocking the clips about points 23.

The construction of the carriers and their clips, with their mode of attachment to the sheets, is the subject matter of my above-entitled application, and is disclosed herein as one convenient type of mounting for the sheets.

As already indicated, each sheet-holder holds a plurality of sheets. lfd/'hen the bars are placed edge to edge in the panel, the width of each bar determines the amount of exposure of the margin of one of the sheets of each group. The sheets of each group are different widths, and when assembled they present identificationreceiving margins 24, 25, 26 and 27, all of which are presented .to View when the overlying sheet 1li of any group is lifted, and if desired turned backward, and also when any group is removed from the file.

The widest sheet of each group, herein the sheet 14, may be termed the keyor master sheet, inasmuch as its identiiication-receiving `margin 24 is the only one of that group normally presented to view. `Thus, all of the identification-receiving margins 24 may be provided with appropriate identifications, and they serve to index the sheets of that group with reference to the key sheets of the remaining groups. On the other hand, the sheet margins of each group, consideredwit reference to one another, serve to index the tlieete of that group with to one 'than the remaining sheets ot' the group. By

giving the key sheet a ditlerent color characteristic from the other sheets of its group, it is readily distinguished therefrom, apart from, its relationship therewith as to size andV location. By making the key sheet thicker than the remaining sheets of its group, it is not only readily distinguishable 'from the remaining sheets of its group, but

ovving to its greater stability, it facilitates the handling of the group ot which it is a part.

This system oi" indexing presents many obvious advantages, among them being the tact that yconfusion is avoided by lhaving only one identihcatiori-receiving portion ot each group normally presented to view, and containing the key index for that group, While the remaining identilication-receiving portions of that groupmay be appropriately indexed to indicate their connection with the key sheet, and to furnish other data not borne by the margin of the key sheet, and which other data it is undesirable to have normally exposed. Among the many uses to which this system is adaptable are production records, central control systems, signature records, banks purchase records, doctors records, and the like. In the case of production records, the key sheet may carry the assembly bill of material, another sheet,

the gage reference record, indicating the gages used in the manufacturing operation,

their dimensions and their details, the third sheet, arequisition record, and the 'fourth sheet, a production or progress record. Thus,.all of the records needed for manufacture of a certain article are grouped together on one holder, and both sides of each sheet are available 'for the recording ot data neededl in connection With the manufacture of the article dealt with by the sheets of that `particular group, and Without danger ot any confusion arising With the records ot other parts.

Having thus described one embodiment of the invention, but Without hunting myself thereto, what Irclaim and desire by Letters Patent -to secure is:

1. In a tile, the combination of a pluralit/ysoff-sheets arranged in overlapping groups, the sheets of each group being provided with overlapping. margins, only one of said marlgins of each group being normally presented to viewI at one time, a plurality 'of sheetner/,aas

holders, one for each group ot sheets, und a mounting for said sheet-holders.

i2. ln a tile, the combination olI a plurality of leaves arranged in overlapping groups, the leaves ot each group being provided with identitieation-receiving portions, all oit `whieh are presented to view at one time when such group is removed trom the lilo, all but one of said identification-receiving portions bcing normally concealed from view by the sheets oit another group, a plurality ot lealholders, one for each group ol2 leaves, and a mounting `lor said leaf-holders.

3. `In a lile, the combination ot' a plurality et sheets arranged in overlapping groups, the sheets oi each group being provided with overlapping margins` only one oil said margins of each group being normally presented to vieiv at one time, each sheet being provided With a plurality olf openings, and each opening being in registration with the corresponding opening or openings oit the remaining sheet or sheets oit the same group, a plurality ot sheet-helders` one il'or each group oi sheets, each sheet-holder presenting means received in the openings ot the sheets ot the group ot sheets which it holds, and a mounting 't'or said sheet-holders to maintain said groups in overlapping relationship.

4l. ln a tile. the combination ott' a plurality ot sheets arranged in overlapping` groupi-s, the sheets olI cach group beingr provided with overlapping margins, each sheet being providedwvith a plurality oil openings,y and each opening being in registration uith the vor respondingopeningl or openings ol" the rcn'iaining sheet or sheets` ot the saine group` a plurality ot sheet-holders. one ttor each group of sheets, cach sheet-holder presenting projections received in the openings oit the sheets of the group of sheets Which it holds. and a n'iounting jlior said sluet-holdcrs to maintain said groups in overlapping relationship.

5. In a lilo, the combination oi a plurality ot sheets, meansI maintaining said sheets arranged in overlapiiing group-i, the sheets oli each group (littering in sir/,e troni one another, a margin o'l only one heet ol noch group being `normally pref-euted to vieu'.

G. ln a lilo, the combination ot a plurality ot sheets arranged in overlapping4 groupr-i, the sheets oli each `group dill'ering in site :trom one another, a margin of only one sheet ot each group beingnormally presented to vieu', a plurality oi sheet-holders. one for cach group oit sheets, and a` niounting for said sheet-holders.

7. ln a file, the combination oit a plurality of groups ot sheets, each group comprising a plurality ot sheets ot ditlerent Widths assembled to present identification-rceeiviug margins all of which are presented to vieu'v when an overlying group is lifted, said groups being arranged in overlapping relallt) lid

lili

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tionship with the Widest sheet of each group covering all but the Widest sheet of the n underlying group and exposing only au identieation-receiving margin oit such sheet, and means maintaining the relationship ot said groups ot sheets with respect to one another and maintaining the relationship oit the sheetsI ot each group with respeet to one another.

8. In a .le, the combination of a plurality ot groups ot sheets, each group comprising a plurality ot sheets o1t` dili'erent Widths ai` sembled to present identiiioation-reeeiving margins all of which are presented to view when such group is removed trom the tile, said groups being arranged in overlapping .relationship with the widest sheet of each group covering all but the Widest sheet ot the next underlying group and enposl g only an itlentiiieation-receiving margin ot sueli sheet, the sheets ot each group being provided with opening-sl registering with one another, a, plurality of sheet-holders, one for each group et sheets, each holder having sheet attaching means received in the pertorations ot its group, and a` mounting for said sheetholders to maintain said groups in overlapping relationship.

9. In a tile, the combination oi a plurality of sheets arranged in overlying groups, the sheets ot' each group being provided with overlapping margins, only one of said man gins beingnorinally presented to view at one time, a plurality ot sheet-holders, one 'tor e eh group of sheets, presenting hinge means permitting suoh group to loe swung bacln Ward into a reversed position to expose an underlyinggroup ot sheets with its over lapping margins, and a mounting for said sheet-holders.

l0. In a file, the combination of a plurality ot sheets arranged in overlapping groups, the sheets ot each group differing in size trom one another, a margin only ot one sheet being normally presented to View, and means presenting mountings for said groups of sheets, on each of which mountings a given group of sheets may be swung backward into a reversed position to expose an underlying group of sheets.

ll. In a lille, the combination of a plurality ot sheets, means maintaining said sheets -arranged in overlapping groups, the sheets oit each group (littering in size from one another, a margin ot only one sheet of each group being normally presented to vievv, the lartsnentioned sheet having a characteristic distinguishing it trom the remaining sheets ot the group.

12. In a tile, the ooi'nbination ot a plurality ot sheets, means inaintainingl said. sheets arrange-d in overlapping groups, the sheet,c o'l each group differing in size from one an other, a margin of only one sheet of each group being nori'nally presented to view, the last-mentioned sheet having a different eolor eliaraeteristio from the remaining sheets the group.

13. ln a tile, the combination ot a plurality ot groups ot' sheets, each group comprising a plurality ot sheets of different Widths, means maintaining said sheets assembled to present identitiestionaeoeiving margins all oit u'hieh margins ot one group are presented to vieiv when an overlying group is lifted, said means maintaining said groups in overlapping relationship with the Widest sh eet ot each group covering all but the Widest sheet of the next underlying group and exposing only an identiioation-receiving margin et such sheet, the Widest sheet of each group (littering in thickness from the remaining sheets ot such group.

141. ln a tile., the combination of a plurality ot groups ot sheets, each group comprising a plurality ot sheets ot' dilerent Widths, means maintaining said sheets assembled to present identificatioli-receiving margins all ol which margins of one group are presented to vieiv when an overlying group is litted, said n maintaining said groups in overlapping relationship with the Widest sheet oit each group covering all but the Widestsheet of the nent underlying` group and eX- posing only an identitioation-receiving inargin ot suoli sheet, the Widest sheet ot eaoh group being thielrer than the remaining sheets ot such group.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this speoiiieation.

JOI-IN SANFORD SMAJL,

Siti 

